Sonja Rasmussen writes:

"Stirring and Stunning start to the festival"

The 35th year of Aberdeen's International Youth Festival kicked off last night with a performance by one of the biggest stars the event has seen.

World-renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber performed with the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra in an opening night concert that certainly set a high standard for those to follow over the next 10 days. Under the baton of conductor Garry Walker, the 120 players made light work of Sir Malcolm Arnold's Four Scottish Dances, a vibrant and lively piece that instantly captivated the capacity audience.

The Edinburgh Youth Orchestra opened their stunning concert at the Music Hall in Aberdeen last night with a moving tribute to their patron, the late Sir Malcolm Arnold. His third Scottish Dance was played with a genuine depth of feeling that was almost tangible.

This set the scene for an outstanding and memorable evening distinguished by sharp, brilliant performances and the sheer power of an orchestra so large the stage had to be extended.

Conducted by the charismatic young conductor Garry Walker the EYO pulled off a magnificent performance of Wagner's highly complex Overture Die Meistersinger.

Four Stars

With a higher than average turnover of musicians, a youth orchestra can vary in quality from year to year just from subtle changes in the balance of orchestral sections. Since their last spring tour, the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra has raised it’s game with these talented young musicians now playing together beautifully to produce a more rounded symphonic sound as demonstrated in Malcolm Arnold’s Scottish Dance No 3 Op 59. The huge amount of musical input and effort from conductor Garry Walker has also paid dividends in creating a more professional and polished EYO.

YOUTHFUL energy isn't enough. Classical music demands rigorous study and practice, dedication, talent and drive. The Edinburgh Youth Orchestra have all of that and much more besides, and it was all on display in their triumphant concert in the Usher Hall.

Opening with a musical tribute to one of their most beloved patrons, Sir Malcolm Arnold, they played the third of his Scottish Dances. For all its brevity, the piece was full of lyricism and beauty, the respectful performance of which would surely have made the great man proud

Prodigy shows which way the wind is blowing - MIRANDA HEGGIE

After the success and popularity of similar workshops with erstwhile Edinburgh Youth Orchestra soloist Nicola Benedetti, this year's EYO soloist, clarinettist Julian Bliss, has been taking a series of workshops for young clarinettists and woodwind players across Scotland. Twenty clarinettists were present at Edinburgh Academy on Tuesday afternoon to hear, and be heard by, the internationally acclaimed young musician.